MARKET MUSINGS
Thoughts and news from the market team.
Pedal Powered Picnic
A few riders enjoying a sunny view of the city from their park stop on St. Patrick's Island
The Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmers’ Market is proud to be a hub for our community, taking our good food community beyond access to local food, and into education and connection. We hope you have felt the shift this year with our Speaker Series’, special events, bike valet and more. One of our favourite additions to our Farmers’ Market family this year is our community-led cycling group.
Each week, community member Rory Allen hosts ‘Pedal Powered Picnic’ from our Farmers’ Market. Participants meet at market at 6:30pm to grab picnic supplies and hangout before riding off together to a nearby park. This is an open group that anyone looking to connect with new friends, and live a healthy, active lifestyle is welcome to join. We are so happy to have Pedal Powered Picnic adding to our ‘good food community’ at the Farmers’ Market! You can also stop into the free Lifesport bike valet and tune-up tent and get a once-over on your bike before you ride off.
All ages and riding levels are welcome in this casual community group. We cycle as a group making sure everyone is comfortable and leaving no one behind. The group works together to have a safe ride and promote awareness on the road, but please take your own safety precautions including wearing a helmet, and having lights for your bike. Pedal Powered Picnic can be found on Facebook, and will be running for the entirety of the outdoor Farmers’ Market season (last outdoor day October 11th). Join us!
Zucchini Season Recipe Highlight
It's Zucchini Season! Although zucchini cake and fries are delicious, we've probably all had 'em hundreds of times. YYC's own Dinner with Julie makes zucchini exciting again with her recipe for fritters. You can find an abundance of Alberta grown zucchini's at market on Wednesdays. Check out Michelle's Market, YYC Growers, Shirley's Greenhouse, Thompson Small Farm and Calico Farms for the ingredients you'll need to make this dish happen.
Crispy Zucchini-Feta Fritters
recipe by Julie Van Rosendaal
Ingredients
1 large-ish or 2 medium-small zucchini
1 tsp. coarse salt
1/3-1/2 cup crumbled feta
1 large egg
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
Freshly ground pepper
Olive or canola oil, for cooking
Directions
Place a couple sheets of paper towel on a cutting board or work surface, and grate your zucchini onto it using the coarse side (the big holes) of a box grater. Sprinkle with salt and let sit a few minutes. Place another paper towel on top, gather up the zucchini inside the towels and wring out as much liquid as you can - if you like, squeeze it into a bowl and use the liquid in soup or pasta. (It will be salty.)
Transfer the shredded zucchini to a bowl, add the feta, then stir in the egg and some freshly ground black pepper, tossing to combine it all. In a small bowl, stir together the flour and baking powder, then stir it into the zucchini mixture.
In a large, heavy skillet, heat a generous drizzle of oil over medium-high heat. Drop the batter in large spoonfuls, then flatten with the spoon until they are 2-3" in diameter. Cook for a few minutes, until the bottoms are golden, then flip and cook for another couple minutes on the other side. If they are browning too quickly, turn the heat down a bit. Transfer to a plate lined with a paper towel. If you like, keep them warm in a 250F oven while you cook the rest. Serve immediately, while still warm.
Vendor Profile | Bench Creek Brewing
Bench Creek Brewing has been part of our Market Family since winter of 2017. AGLC recently allowed Farmers' Market to sell craft beer, and we are so excited to be able to offer their unique brews as part of our line-up. These brewers from Edison definitely aren't lacking in creativity and can hook you up with a variety of beers for your summer patio drinking needs. Find them at market this week and learn more about their business below...
Tell us a bit about yourself!
Bench Creek Brewing is a home-based microbrewery in Yellowhead County, AB 10km outside of Edson on the Yellowhead highway. the 5000 sq. ft. facility sits at the Apex of an acreage in the foothills of Northern Alberta. We have a 1000 sq. ft. patio that overlooks the forest in our backyard. Literally. There is a brewery and a forest in our backyard.
What is your business?
Bench Creek Brewing handcrafts award-winning ales, and now lagers that are unfiltered, unpasteurized, and uncompromised by cost saving measures that affect the quality of our beers. We do not filter or pasteurize because we feel those techniques strip the products of their character, and flavour. Everything that we do is for the beers we produce. They are made with intention, so that each beer you consume is no accident of fate, but designed to be a delightful trip for the senses.
How long have you been producing?
We have been producing our products for 2.5 years, and our products are now sold in 3 different provinces (MB, SK, AB)
Why did you decide to start your business?
We didn’t like the beers we were being served in the early 2010’s. With the AGLC rules governing the production limits in Alberta changing overnight in late 2013, it was enough of a push to build a 5000 sq. ft production facility, and starting making our beers they way we want them to be served, out of a brewery in our backyard. Again, Literally.
What makes you so passionate about local enterprise?
We feel that local breweries deserve the support of their consumers, but we also feel that businesses making the very best products in the province also deserve support. We may not be a calgary based brewery, but we’re passionate about what Alberta can produce, and casing that on the world stage. #supportlocal #SupportGood #DrinkLocal #drinkGood
Why did you choose Farmers' Markets to sell your products?
To tell our story. We may be growing larger, and available on more store shelves, but we have an oppurtunity to explain our vision and our past by hand selling each 4-pack to consumers. We feel we have a pretty engaging story, one that we can’t always tell, when you go to a liquor store.
What is your favourite thing about the HSCA Farmers' Market?
The people at the market, both sellers and buyers. At this market, the passion behind it from everyone in the community is palpable, and it’s contagious.
Tell us something exciting that is upcoming for you and your business!
We’re about to start creating some of the most challenging recipes that a brewer can make… LAGERS! look for Pilsners, Kolschs, and Ambers coming to HSCA Market SOON
Where else can customers find your products?
Liquor depot, Sobeys, COOP, Real Canadian Liquor Store, Willow Park, and most of the mom and pop shops around town! Best part about this industry is if you can’t find it, you can ask ANY liquor store to bring us on their shelves.
Facebook: @benchcreekbrewing
Instagram: @benchcreekbrewing
Twitter: @benchcreekbrew
benchcreekbrewing.com
Vendor Profile | Pot and Kettle
Dawson and Irene are new to the Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmers' Market and already fit right in! You might see them with a baby at their booth, or sampling one of their amazing soups, sauces, or weekly specials. Their passion for local and high-quality food is obvious- their fresh pasta is a must try!
Tell us a bit about yourself!
We are Dawson and Irene Holloway and we’re the couple behind Pot and Kettle. Dawson is the #moodychef who creates and cooks all our delicious recipes (sometimes he cleans too!). I am the office admin gal and stay at home mom of 2 girls: Nora, 3 and Sadie, 8 months. Family and food are the most important things to us, and Pot and Kettle is our third baby. We are so excited to bring our delicious food to the markets this summer and have big plans for the years to come!
What is your business?
We make delicious, gourmet soups, sauces and stocks. We have a large variety of frozen options, as well as a fresh weekly feature or two. We also sell two varieties of fresh pasta. We are committed to using local, ethically raised meat, and fresh local produce which we buy directly from the farmers.
How long have you been producing?
We are brand new this year! And we are so excited to be joining 4 markets this summer, with big plans in mind for the coming winter!
Why did you decide to start your business?
Dawson has been passionate about food his whole life. He spends all his time in the kitchen. Dawson shows his love for his family and friends by feeding them delicious, locally inspired meals. Over beers one night, we decided it was high time he bring this labour of love to the people of Calgary. We are so passionate about eating local and supporting small enterprise, it only made sense to join the food community of Calgary!
What makes you so passionate about local enterprise?
Because we like putting money into the pockets of people who are like us, not faceless corporations whose only concern is the bottom line.
How long have you been part of the Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmers' Market?
We are brand new, and so excited to be a part of the family!
Why did you choose Farmers' Markets to sell your products?
We love shopping at farmers’ markets. Especially Dawson, because he knows that the farmers’ market is where you find the best food! We believe that by selling prepared food made with local, ethical ingredients we are the link between farmer and foodie.
What is your favourite thing about the HSCA Farmers' Market?
It’s focus on building a Good Food Community.
Tell us something exciting that is upcoming for you and your business!
It’s our first season, so this is all new and exciting! We can’t wait to get going and meet our customers!
Where else can customers find your products?
Grassroots Farmers’ Market
Bridgeland Riverside Farmers’ Market
Farmers and Makers Market at cSPACE
Where can customers go to find more information about your products?
Follow our Social Media @potandkettleyyc or find us online at Potandkettleyyc.com
